Detached heddles and means and method for assembling and handling the same.



E. F. HATHAWAY & CLLEA.

DETACHED HEDDLES AND MEANS AND METHOD FOR ASSEHBLING AND HANDLING THE SAME.

APPLICATlON FILED ocT.19. i903.

1,149,137. Patented Aug. 3, 1915.

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fnvenians E. F. HATHAWAY & C. LEA.

DETACHED HEDDLES AND MEANS AND METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING AND HANDLING THE SAME. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 19' 1909.

1,149,137. r Patented Aug. 3, 1915.

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mm 1+ WM UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EGAB I. HATHLAWAY, 0F DOBCHESTER, AND CHARLES LEA, OF BOSTON, MASSACHU- SETTS, ASSIG-NORS TO AMERICAN WASP DRAWING COMPANY, OF BOSTON, EASSACH'USETTS, A CORPORATION OF MARIE.

DETACHED HEDDLES AND MEANS AND IEEITHOD FOB ASSEMBLING AND HANDLING THE SAME.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 3, 1915.

Application filed October 19, 1908. Serial No. 458,374.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, EDGAR F. ILTHA- war and Cm LEA, both citizens of the United States, and residing, respectively, at Dorchester and Boston, both in the county of Suffolk and State of Mamchusetts, have nvented an Improvement in Detached Heddles and Means and Methods for Assembhng and Handling the Same, of which the fol lowing description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

Our inrenticn relates to the assemblage 1 independent detached. thread-engaging,

loom elements, such as the detached heddles of'a metal h-arne m, dropwires or drop heddles, or other like devices the independent members of which are required to be placed in operative association with one or more ihreadsof a loom warp to fulfil some inlnded purpose in the operation of the loom.

Our invention has for its object the as semblage of a series of heddles, or other like defice, in such relation that their tion for any desired purpose, such asthe placing of warp threads through or the control of successive members of the assembled series may be readily efiected, while at the same time they may be installed in the loom in their assembled state and perform their usual functions.

These heddlcs or drop bars as ordinarily constructed are formed of thin sheet metal stri or plates, and are held in an assembl compacted series face to face and with their thin edges exposed. In order to facilitate their separation when asenibled in serics, it is common to arrange them with an alterna 'variafion in form or position, so that suits le aparating mechanism acting with reference to such alternating variation can readily release and separate successive members while holding back the remaining members of the series.

Where an alternately varying formation is procured by removing portions of the heddles or drop wires, either in the form of perforat-ions. indentations in the edges of the heddles or other like formations, such perfomtions, indentations or" other formations, if arranged in aliuemcnhns' customarily has been done to provide a continuous passage or channel for the reception of a separating member, also present such passage or channel for the entrance and accumulation of lint and the like if the heddles or drop bars are installed in the loom in the same relation. This is particularly detrimental in the case of drop heddles or drop wires, which are intended to undergo no movement relatively to each other, except on the breakmg of a thread. It has been found that the accumulation of lint in the p formed by perforations in thesuccessire eddles as describedtends to fill up such passage and sustain the heddle independent of the support afiorded by its thread, so that if the thread breaks the heddle may fail to drop and perform its intended function.

The object ofour invention is to prevent such conditions and to thisend we have provided an assemblage of hcddles, drop bars or the like presenting perforations, indentations or other formations rgularly alternatingnin form but presenting portions adapted to brought into line to receive some memher of the separating mechanism of a warp drawing or other machine, which perforations, indentations or formations, however, may be put out of alinement when installed in the loom so as to leave no continuous channel or pasage forthe accumulation of Our invention will be best understood by reference to the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying illustration 'of one specific embodiment thereof, while its scope will be more particularl; pointed out in the appended claims.

In the Figure 1 shows in side elevation a, common form of drop wire or hetiltdlle 2 the:1 samei heddle prov1 an a an a re easmg o ing; Fig. 3 shows a similar heddle with $e releasing opening differently positioned to give an alterna arrangement; Fig. 4 shows in side elevation an assemblage of heddles, alternate members of which are perforated. as are the heddles shown in Figs. 2 and 3; Fig. 5 is a side View of a portion of the series shown in Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is an end elevation showing the heddlcs with the releasing openings brought into alinement; Fig. 7 shows the same heddlcs in side elevation; Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the series illustrating the operation of the releasing mechanism thereon; Fig. 9 shows the same series of heddles coiiperatively related to the separating mechanism of a drawing-in machine; Fig. 10 is a detail showing the action of the separating mechanism; and Fig. 11 is a detail showing the releasing key.

For the sake of illustration, we have herein shown our invention as applied to one parncumr type of drop wire or heddle, customarily employed for stop motions in connection with the warp of the loom. It is to be understood, however, that this invention has'not only general application to drop wires or drop heddles of widely varying and different types or constructions from that shown in the drawings (which is selected solely for the purpose of concrete illustration,) but also has application to the heddles of a metal harness and other similar detaehed' thread-engaging loom elements. Beferring to the drawings, however, and the specific embodiment of our invention there selected for illustration, there is shown in Fig. 1 a well-known form of metallic drop heddle, the same consisting of a thin, resilient, sheet-metal plate 1, aving a threadreceiving opening 2, herein (though not necessarily) in the form of a circular perforation and having also a portion such as the elongated eye- 3 shaped to receive one of the usual contact members in the loom and herein also employed to remive the supporting bar i (Fig. 5), upon which the heddles may be held in assembled series prior to placing the threads through the thread apertures thereof and installing the same in the loom.

In the disclosed form of heddle we have provided an alterna a variation in form between successive hed es, herein by perforating the heddle as at 5 (Fig. 2) and proriding a lateral enlargement 6 of such perforation, the 'enlargementextendjng in one direction in the cam of one heddle and (Fig. 3) in another direction in the case of the next adjacent one. For example, in the case of the heddle shown in Fig. 2, the enlargement projects upwardly, and in the case of the heddle shown in Fig. 3, which is the next succe$ive heddle, the enlargement extends downwardly in the opposite direction. This alternating variation in the formation of the releasing openings in successive heddles makes it pomible for them to be engaged as represented in Figs. 8 to 11 by a releasing and separat' key 7 connected to the releasing rod 8, e latter extending through the channel or passage formed by the perforations 5 in succemive heddles of the assembled mas.

While our invention is not limited to any particular form of separating mechanisnnto best understand the utility of the releasing openings, reference may be had to the operation of the separating mechanism shown in Figs. 8 to 11, where the head 7 of the releasing key is provided with an abrupt shoulder 9, which in its operation is caused to overlie and press against the face of the foremost heddle of the compacted series (see Fig. 8) and hold it back together with the rest of the series. As the key is turned, the shoulder 9 is finally turned into registration with the elongation 6 of the releasing perforation for the foremost heddle, and the latter is thereby released and permitted to pass over the head of the releasing key,- the next successive heddle, however, with its oppositely directed elongation, continu ing to press against the overlying shoulder of the key and, together with the rest of the series, being held back thereby until the key. executes another half turn. It will therefore be seen that the releasing rod, while holding back the body of the heddles, at each half revolution releases the foremost member of that body of series.

The head 7 is provided with a helical formation 10 which is adapted to engage thi released heddle and force it along to the extnemity of the head where it is discharged. As representedin Fig. 9, the heddle may be discharged to any suitable positioning mechanism, such, for example, as the positioning worm 11 adapted to be rotated by thcworm shaft 12, which, together with the key rod 8, extends to suitable actuating mechanism, not herein shown. The positioning worm 11 is so formed as to receive the heddle when discharged from the key, and, after advancingihe same, to give it a half turn to place its threading opening 2 in line with the drawing-in needle or other implement, which is qualified to place a warp thread through the same. Discharge of the threaded heddle from the worm to the series of already threaded heddles follows, and, in this fashion, the releasing key, positioning worm and drawing-in mechanism is caused to advance across the series of heddles.

In order better to effect the release of the successive heddles when the shoulder 9 is brought into registration with the elongated portion of the releasing opening, there may be rovided means, such as the carriage 13 which has a curved edge 14 pressing against the end heddle of the series, so as to bend their upper or top ends all slightly outward and thus impart to the foremost bar a tendency to spring over and along the key head 7 when the bar is released.

In order that the releasing openings may be out of alinement when the heddles are installed in the loom, and the formation of the resultant channel or passage thereby prevented, the said openings are not only given an alternative variation in form as between succesive members, but are also supporting threading openings will be substantially in alinement', while-the series of releasing perforations will be offset from each other and vertically out of alinement, the relatiw. positions of the successive releasing openings being represented in Fig. '4.

In order that the threading openings may be in substantial alinement when the beddies are suspended on the supporting bar 4, so that, for use in the drawin -in machine, each threading openin will oe in approximate alinement with t e drawin -in needle, the upper inner edge of the e ongated eye 3, which acts to support the heddle b v resting on the supporting bar 4 is spaced equi-distant from the threading opening in successive heddles, but differentially from the releasing openings, as will be seen by the contrast between the heddles of Figs. 2 and 3. With the heddles assembled, therefore, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, and suspended in a compacted mass upon the supporting bar 4, the releasing openings are ofi'set from each other and out of alinement.

In order to aline the releasing openings ofthe-assembled heddles for the reception of the key rod 8, we have provided suitable alining means. \Vhile this alinement may be provided for in various ways, herein we have provided as an alining formation for each heddle, the circular enlargement 15 'near the bottom of the elongated eye 3. These comprise in efiect openings of substantial" the same diameter spaced equidistant from the releasing openings 5 in the case of each heddle, but differentially spaced in successive heddles relatively to the threading openings 2. \Vhile the alining openings in successive heddles are out of line as the heddles hang upon the supporting bar 4, they are so arranged that -successive alining. openings overlap leaving a continuous channel 16 (Fig. 4) through the assembled heddles of slightly greater width than the eye 3.

\Vith the bar, an alinin member 17, comprising a rod of substantially the diameter of the alining openings 14 and having a tapered point 18, may be inserted in the widened channel 15 and forced through the entire series'of heddles, as indicated in Fig. 7 this operation causing successive heddles elevated heddles are released and drop wires assembled on the stalled in the channel formed by the perforat-ions 5 and itsend connected with the driving mechanism in the machine preparatory to the separating and selecting oper ation, the alining member 17 thereupon being withdrawn (see Figs. 8 and fl) leaving the series of heddles in condition for the separating and drawing-in operation. During the separating action a portion only of the unthreaded heddles rest upon the supporting bar, each alternate one being supported at the key rod 8. .-\s-the alternate discharged from the kev rod, they are dropped to a lower level and, in their subsequent movement, are suspended upon the supporting -bar 4.

\Vhile we have shown and described one specific embodimentof our invention and have shown for sake of illustration one spe cific application thereof, it is to be understood that our invention is not limited to the particular details herein shown or to the application thereof herein made. but that it is susceptible of extensive modifica: tion and deviation from the described construction, and may be usefully applied to purposes other than those herein described Having thus described ourinvention,\vhat we claim is:

1. A series of independent thread-engaging loom elements, such as drop wires, detached heddles or the like, each having a threading opening and a releasing opening,

porting eye to receive a supporting bar,-

said threading and releasing openings be-' ing so positioned relatively to the supporting eye :that when the members ale hung upon the supporting bar the threading openings of successive members are in alinement and the releasing openings out of alinement, the supporting eye of each member having also an alining opening comprising a circular enlargement nearits lower end and adapted to receive a pointed rjod, the said enlargements being equi-distant from the releasing openings but offset each from the other in successive members while overlapping each its adjacent one, whereby on the insertion of an alining rod alternate members may be raised from the supporting bar and the releasing openings 'alined permitting the insertion therethrough of a suitable releasing inember.'

2. A series of independent thread-engag' ing loom elements, such as detached rop wires, heddles or the like, each having a threading opening and a releasing opening, successive releasing openings being diii'erentially arranged to present an alternate va- 5 riation in form between successive members i of the series, each member being provided releasing openings it of alinement, a oil-cm lar opening in each member adapted to receive a point of an alining rod, the said penings being equi-distant from the relea-sing openings but ofi'set each from the other in successive members, while overlapping each its adjacent one, whereby on the I insertion of the rod alternate members may be raised from the supporting bar and the releasing openings alined, permitting inscrtion therethrough of a suitable releasing member.

3. An assemblage of independent threadengaging loom elements, such as drop wires, detached heddles or the like, each having athreading opening and a releasin openi ing, successive releasing openings being diferentially arranged to present an alternate variation in form between successive members, means to support the assembled members with the successive releasing openings out of alinemcnt, said members being also provided with alining openings of similar form and adapted to receive an alining member, said openings in successive mem- ,bers being olfset but overlappin and located equi-distant from the releasing openings.

4. An assemblage of independent threadengagin loom elements, such as drop wires, detache heddles or the like, having each a threading opening and a releasing opening, successive releasing openings being difierentially arranged to present an alternate variation in form between successive members, means to support the assembled members with releasing openings out of alinement, and means to support said members with the said openings in alinement.

5. An assemblage of independent threadenga in loom elements, such as drop wires, detac \e heddles or the like, each having a threading opening and a releasing opening, means to support the members of the series with the releasing openin s out of alinement and means to support he same with said apenings in alinement.

6. An assemblage of independent thread- :ngaging loom elements, such as drop bars, letaohed heddles or the like, having releasng openings out of alinement when sup- )orted in theloom, and means for alining be same prior-to installation in the loom.

7. An assemblage of independent threadengagin loom-elements, such as drop bars, dctaehe heddles or the like, presenting alternate varying formations normally out of line, and means for bringing such alternate formations into line.

8. An assemblage of independent threadengaging loom elements, such as drop bars, detached heddles or the like, each having a threading opening, means for supporting the same with the threading openings in line, and nieans to support the same with the threading openings out of line. 9. An assemblage of independent thread- .en a in loom elenients such as dro bars detached heddles or the like, each having a. threadin openin and alinin means dif ferentiali y space from the said threading openings.

10. An assemblage of independent threadengaging loom elements, such as drop bars, detached heddles or the like, each having supporting edges for supporting the series in a warp drawing machine, difi'erentiall spaced, cut away portions for successive he dles, and alining means adapted to be engaged by a suitable alining member to bring the said cut away portions into alinement.

11. An assemblage of independent threadengaging loom elements, such as drop bars,

detached heddles or the like, each having a e releasing opening, successive openings ing differentially arran ed to present an alternate variation in orm between successive members, the said releasing openings being also differentially located-on successive members.

for successive members 12. An assemblage of independent threadi engaging loom elements,sueh as drop bars, detached heddles or the like, presenting alternately varied cut away portions for ening an elongated eye, a circular enlargement therein, a threading opening and a releasing opening provided with a lateral enlargement 15. An assemblage of drop wires having each a threading opening with edges adapted to support the drop wire on its thread in the loom, said drop wire presenting openings differentially spaced for successive members from the said supporting edges.

16. An assemblage of drop wires having each a threading opening with edges adapted to support the drop wire on its thread in the loom, said drop wire presenting alternately varied cut away portions difierentially spaced for successive members from the said supporting edges.

17. The combination with a series of independent threadengaging loom elements, such as drop wires, heddles or the like, presenting alternately varied formations normally held out of alinement while in the loom, of means for cooperating with the said alternate formations and releasing successive members of the series for engagement with suitable threaddrawing mechanism prior to installation in the loom.

1-8. The method of separating a compacted series of thread engaging loom elements having threading openings such as drop wires preparatory to the drawing-in operation which consists in holding said series in compacted relation, shifting each alternate drop wire to place the threading openings out of alinement, releasing the foremost drop wire of the series in succession, then placing a warp thread through the thread ing opening of each successive drop wire and shifting each successive drop wire to again bring the threading openings into alinemeat.

19. The method of handling thread-engaging loom elements such as drop wires having threading openings prior to insertion in the loom, which consists in holding the same in series with the threading openings out of alinement, releasing successive membars from the series and then replacing the said drop wires in the series With the threading openings in alinement,.

20. The method of handling thread-engaging loom elements having threading openings such as drop Wires, which consists in compacting them with the threading openings out of alinement, separating each one singly out of the compacted mass and placing its threading opening in alinement with the threading openings of the preceding elements, threading each element and placing the elements in the loom.

21. The method of handling thread engaging loom elements having threading openings such as drop wires prior to insertion in the loom which consists in holding the same in series releasing successive members from the series with the threading openings out of alinement, drawing a warp thread through the threading opening of each successive drop wire, and then replacing drop wires in the series with the thread ing openings in alinement.

2. A series of drop bars 1, having threadi g openings 2 and releasing openings 55,

alternate releasing openings being differentially located relatively to the threading openings.

23. A series of drop bars having each a threading opening and a releasing formation, the aid series comprising two sets, said bars having each supporting edges which are differently spaced from the threading openings in the two sets, and having also other supporting edges which are differently spaced from the releasing formations in the two sets.

I In testimony whereof, we have signed our It; is hereby certified that the assignee in LeLLers Patent No. 1,149,137, granted August 3, 1915, upon the applieetion of Edgar l. llnthnwny, of Dorehester, and

Charles Lee, of Boston, Messachusomis, for nn improvement in Detached Heddles and Means and Methods for Assembling and Handling ihe Same, was erroneously deseribed and specified as"Ameriean Wasp Drawing Mnvhine Company, whereas it should have been described and spm'iliud ux Anu'rirun Warp Drawing Machine Company, as shown by the records of assignments in this olliee; and that the said Letters Patent. should he read with (his r-orreetion then-in that the same may eonform to the record of the (use in the Patent ()lliee.

Signed and sealed this 31st (lay of August, A. 1)., 1915.

[SEAL] J. T. NEWTON,

Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

